Tigers catcher Gerald Laird arrested on suspicion of assault and disorderly conduct

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20091231&content_id=7865414&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
12/31/09 6:30 PM EST
Laird brothers arrested

Tigers catcher, Yanks prospect detained for assault

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

Tigers catcher Gerald Laird and his younger brother, Brandon, a prospect in the Yankees' Minor League system, were arrested on suspicion of assault and disorderly conduct on Wednesday in Phoenix, according to Phoenix police.
The two ballplayers, plus another man, were arrested following a brawl after a Phoenix Suns game at U.S. Airways Arena. The incident took place at an arena lounge.
Gerald Laird, 30, was cited for assault, while Brandon, 22, was cited for disorderly conduct, police said in an Associated Press report.
Also arrested was Gregory Scott Collins, 51, on suspicion of assault after the Suns beat the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.
"While [security guards] were trying to arrest the suspect for disorderly conduct, the [Laird brothers] interfered and assaulted the security guards," Phoenix police Sgt. Andy Hill told the AP.
Security previously had spoke with the men about their loud behavior, Hill added. Gerald Laird and his family live in Peoria, Ariz. Brandon Laird is an infield prospect with the Yankees. He played for the Surprise Rafters in the Arizona Fall League.

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2010/12/former_tigers_gerald_laird_agr.html


Former Tigers catcher Gerald Laird agrees to one-year deal with St. Louis Cardinals

Published: Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 1:03 PM Updated: Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 1:32 PM

James Schmehl | MLive.com


Gerald Laird
It's official. Gerald Laird is now another club's problem.

The former Tigers right-handed hitting catcher has agreed to a one-year with the St. Louis Cardinals, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Laird is expected to serve as backup to starter Bengie Molina. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Laird, 31, played in Detroit the past two seasons and is coming off a career-worst offensive year in which he hit .207 with a 567 OPS. Laird, a career .242 hitter, hit .218 and added a combined nine home runs and 58 RBIs in two seasons for the Tigers.

In November, the Tigers declined to offer arbitration to Laird after previously informing him in September that he would not be re-signed. Laird has thrown out 38 percent of would-be base-stealers throughout his career, but will likely receive limited starts in St. Louis as Molina has started 266 behind the plate the past two seasons.

The Tigers signed free agent catcher Victor Martinez to a four-year deal worth $50 million in November. He is expected to add protection behind first baseman Miguel Cabrera and will complement starter Alex Avila behind the plate.



© 2010 MLive.com. All rights reserved.

any update on this important issue ?

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...nta-braves-offseason-report-bj-upton/1838475/

1/16/13:


GOOD LUCK ON THE BEAVE IN 2013 GERALD:

Catcher
Brian McCann will begin the season on the disabled list after having shoulder surgery in October. The Braves are hopeful he will be back in May and return as an offensive force after having the worst season of his eight-year career in 2012 when he hit .230 with 20 home runs in 121 games. Veteran Gerald Laird was signed to a two-year, $3.3 million deal as a free agent to replace David Ross as the backup catcher and will handle the bulk of the duties behind the plate while McCann recovers.